Children's Therapy Program
150 Independent St
Yorkton, SK S3N 0S7
Phone: (306) 786-0178
Fax: (306) 786-0620
5 Years
A 5-year-old child generally:
□ Uses words to describe objects and people (e.g. ”beautiful” baby)
□ Follows three step directions.
□ Has adult-like grammar.
□ May occasionally mispronounce certain sounds (e.g. “r”, “ch”, “sh”, “l”, “th”) but
speech is easily understood.
□ Understands the meaning of “first”, “last”, “whole”, “empty”, “half”, “more”,
“near”, “behind”, “far”, etc.
□ Walks easily on a narrow line.
□ Balances easily on one foot.
□ Catches a tennis ball with one hand.
□ Runs with arms swinging opposite to legs.
□ Easily imitates body postures.
□ Uses preferred hand when using a tool, and uses good coordination of both
hands when needed.
□ Cuts out shapes with accuracy.
□ Can print a few recognizable letters without a model.
□ Chooses their own friends.
□ Co-operates with playmates most of the time and understands rules and fair
play.
□ Comforts playmates in distress.
□ Will greet others with “hello” and say “goodbye” when leaving.
□ Draws recognizable person with head, chest, legs, arms and facial features.
□ Draws a house with door, windows, roof and chimney.
□ Dresses and undresses alone.
□ Is tender and protective towards young children and pets.
Revised Feb 2016
Adapted from: “What Should Your Child be Doing? By Geordie Belinski
Concerns may arise:
□ Has difficulty catching a ball with two hands and/or throwing a ball accurately.
□ Cannot walk on a low balance beam or on a narrow line.
□ Is unable to have conversations with adults or peers.
□ Avoids or is awkward on playground equipment.
□ Cannot stand on one foot without lots of body movement.
□ Cannot stand still with eyes closed.
□ Gets dizzy easily or never gets dizzy.
□ Has no definite hand preference.
□ Cannot do simple puzzles.
□ Cannot follow directions.
□ Has speech which is not understandable.
□ Produces incomplete sentences.
□ Has difficulty telling a story.
□ Repeats words and sounds (stutters).
□ Has a strong need to control others, including children and caregivers.
□ Shows emotions which do not fit the situation.
Good things to do:
 Ask you child their point of view about a show on T.V., an event at preschool or
kindergarten, parts of the news. Listen carefully.
 Make an “All About Me” book with your child. Include things they like (friends,
places, foods, etc.) and dislike too!
 Play rhyming games. Say a word and the other person has to say a word that
rhymes with it. The words do not have to be real words. Play “I spy” using
words that rhyme such as, “I see something that sounds like bee” (which could
be a tree”).
 Hang your child’s art in a special place.
 Read a book with your child, stopping to ask about an event or what will happen
next. When you finish the book, ask your child to think up another way for the
story to end.
 Talk about things that are real and things that are make-believe.
 Play “I Spy” using a variety of colors (e.g. “violet” or “navy blue”).
 Allow opportunities to explore playgrounds, climbing, sliding, and swinging.
 Encourage physical fitness through hiking, biking, playground play, kicking a
ball back and forth, etc..
 Limit screen time (TV, video games, DVD, computer, iPhone, iPad) to less than
2hrs a day.
If you have questions or concerns about your baby, toddler, or preschooler, please contact
the Sunrise Health Region Children’s Therapy Program at 786-0178.
Revised Feb 2016
Adapted from: “What Should Your Child be Doing? By Geordie Belinski